Cape Town - French President Nicholas Sarkozy is to address a joint sitting of South Africa’s Parliament on Thursday, as part of his two day visit to the country.

President and Madame Sarkozy are expected to arrive in Cape Town on Thursday, ahead of talks with President Thabo Mbeki at Tuynhuis.

The French delegation will include 40 Chief Executive Officers from major French companies.

The delegation will sign an array of bilateral agreements aimed at further strengthening relations between the two countries.

“President and Madame Sarkozy, who will be on a two-day state visit will be received at the Cape Town International Airport by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said ahead of the scheduled bilateral political, economic and trade discussion.

President Mbeki will host President Sarkozy within the context of South Africa’s priority to strengthen bilateral political, economic and trade relations with France aimed at consolidating North – South relations.

France is the largest donor and trading partner to Africa and is an increasing major investor on the continent.

Economic relations between South Africa and France are continuously expanding. France is South Africa’s eighth largest trading partner and an important investor in the South African economy.

Bilateral trade totalled R25 billion in 2007, with the trade balance in France’s favour. South Africa’s exports were mainly minerals, metals and other commodities while imports from France included machinery, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

"President Sarkozy has in the months that he's been in power, spoken often about Africa and has said France will continue to be Africa's resolute advocate in Europe...and that Africa will remain a priority of France's foreign policy," said Foreign Affairs Deputy Director General Gert Grobler, in Pretoria on Thursday.

South Africa and France enjoy cordial relations characterised by regular high-level dialogue, diverse bilateral cooperation programmes and growing bilateral economic ties while co-operating at a multilateral level including the UN Security Council and the G8.

In addition, France is a member of the Group of 8 (G-8) and a Permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

President Sarkozy will on Friday address the SA-France Business Forum.

The SA-French Business Forum has provided an opportunity for South African and French business people to exchange views on doing business in Africa and to explore possible joint partnerships on the continent.

There are about 160 French companies operating in South Africa, including several French multinationals such as Total, Alcatel, Renault, Lafarge, Danone and Peugeot-Citroen.

The French nuclear company AREVA is currently training South African engineering graduates in project management at post-graduate level.

The French-South African Technological Institute for Electronics (F’SATIE), based at the Tshwane University of Technology and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, will train 167 students over the next two years.

The Ecole Nationale d’Administration, in association with the South African Management Development Institue, will offer training programmes to senior South African civil servants. – BuaNews